Renter's Guide to Katy

Located on the West side of Houston, Katy is a small, Texas suburb with plenty to offer new residents. Mostly neighborhoods and nice communities, it’s a great place for families and young adults. The city is also home to a number of big-name corporations and distribution centers.

From Houston proper, Katy is about a 30-minute drive – or 29 miles – away. It’s also fairly close to many of Texas’ other big cities, including Austin (136 miles away), Dallas (257 miles away) and San Antonio (168 miles away). Katy weather includes very hot summers and mild springs, falls and winters. Average high temperatures from June to September range from 100 to 104, while highs the rest of the year hover between the low-80s and mid-90s. Though the city rarely has snow or ice, it does experience a good amount of rainfall – particularly in the summer.

Katy, TX Demographics

Total Population328,871

Female159,317

Male169,554

Median Age34

Cost of Living in Katy, TX

Overall, the cost of living in Katy Texas is lower than the national average, but slightly higher than the state average. Public transportation in Katy is handled by the Houston Metro system, which services all of the greater Houston area. The Metro’s Park and Ride service, which allows you to park your vehicle for free and ride one of the Metro’s many bus routes, has a station located in Katy. Fare for these buses range from $1.25 to $4.50 per ride, or you may opt for a day pass or commuter fare card, both of which can save you money depending on your route. For two people, a meal in at a mid-range Katy or Houston area restaurant would cost about $60. One pint of draft, domestic beer would be $3.50, and a regular cappuccino would be $3.79. Some of the top restaurants in Katy include Salt & Pepper, Alegria Brazilian Grill, Antonia’s, Olive Garden, and Da Vinci Ristorante. Utilities in Katy are on par with the rest of the state, but actually quite lower than the national average. For a 915 square foot apartment, you could expect to pay about $144 a month for things like electricity, heating and water.

Living in Katy, TX

Life in Katy Texas can be a great one for many people. With lots of real estate options, safe neighborhoods, a prime location and tons of restaurants, shops and things to do, it’s a top choice for many Houston-area families.

Just like any city, there are pros and cons to living in Katy. Some of the biggest advantages come with how new the area is. Homes are new, neighborhoods are new and schools are new, so the city is very well kept and pretty. Katy is also known for its great school district, so it’s a top choice if you have little ones in the house.

On the downside, Katy is prone to flooding, like many other areas of Houston area. Flood insurance is a must should you decide to own a home in the area. Another downside of Katy – at least of the homes in the area – is that they can be quite pricy. This is simply because of the high number of people moving to the area and the demand for local housing.

Katy is a fairly diverse city, with a population breakdown that looks like this: 83 percent Caucasian, 4 percent African American and 8 percent other races. More than 23 percent of the population is of Hispanic or Latino descent.

Things to do in Katy

Katy is full of fun things to do and see, and since the area is rapidly growing, new shops, restaurants and forms of entertainment are cropping up all the time.

One of the top spots to visit in Katy is Mary Jo Peckham Park, a public park that boasts an indoor pool, workout facilities, fishing, a koi pond, mini golf, disc golf, a picnic area, a playground and hiking and biking trails. For shopping, the can’t miss place is Katy Mills Mall – a massive shopping mall with dozens of department stores, boutiques, restaurants and more. La Centerra is also another hot shopping destination. As for grocery stores, HEB has a nice selection of organic and vegan foods. And Party City is a great spot for birthday party supplies, baby shower favors, and Halloween costumes!

There are loads of fun things to do with kids in Katy. Main Event and Dave & Busters both offer an arcade, bowling, and other family fun, while Top Golf is a great choice for the older kids. There’s also the Katy Contemporary Art Museum, which charges just $2 for a child’s admission year round.

If you’ve got furry friends, Millie Bush Bark Park and the City of Katy Dog Park are both free places to take your pet for a little fun in the sun. There are also three public libraries to choose from, all of which are free to Katy residents, and the jumping water fountains at La Centerra are always free and open to the public.

Want to impress your significant other? You’re in luck. Katy is full of top-notch restaurants – like Texas Roadhouse or Red Lobster – as well as a number of movie theaters where you can catch a flick. Try the AMC Katy Mills 20, the Cinemark 19, or stop by the Alamo Drafthouse, and see a movie, get drinks and grab dinner all at once. If you’re into beer, stop by and check out Katy’s very own brewery, No Label.

One of the biggest events in Katy is the annual Rice Harvest Festival, which happens every year in October. The event offers a parade, food, shops and live entertainment and is just $10 for adults (but is free for children!) The Katy Freedom Celebration is another big annual event, ringing in Independence Day every July 4th with fireworks, a ceremony and more.

Katy is full of opportunities to expand your culture. To take in some history, stop by the Contemporary Art Museum, the Katy Heritage Museum, or the Katy War Veterans Memorial any day of the year. For performing arts, look to the New World Theater, which hosts plays, musicals, theater and dance classes, summer camps and more.

Employment and Economy

Katy is home to many big-name corporations, including the Igloo Corporation, Academy Sports and Outdoors, and BP America. The city’s main industries are energy and retail, and thanks to the Katy Mills Mall, La Centerra and others, jobs in Katy are abundant. Costco recently opened in the area and is one of the top employers in the city as well.

Katy, TX Households

Total Number of Households100,053

Family82,740

Non-family17,314

Children53,057

No Children46,996

Average People Per Household3.29

Median Household Income$93,552

Median Housing Costs Per Month$1,422

Education in Katy

Katy is well-known for its top-performing educational options. The Katy Independent School District holds a “recognized” designation from the Texas Education Agency and boasts seven high schools, including Taylor High School, a former National Blue Ribbon School, and Katy High School, which dates back to 1898. The district also offers a career and technology center. The city is also home to a charter school – Aristoi Classical Academy – and two community college campuses: Houston Community College Northwest and the University of Houston at Cinco Ranch.

Katy, TX Education Statistics

No High School4%

Some High School24%

Some College25%

Associate Degree7%

Bachelor Degree26%

Graduate Degree13%

Tips for Renting in Katy

Though Katy doesn’t have any specific rules or statutes governing renters’ rights, under Texas state law, all tenants in the city are protected from any kind of landlord retaliation. This means they can complain to their landlord or to the city about unsafe living conditions or they may sue their landlord without fear of rising rents rates or eviction.

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